Day 4: It's pretty SIMPLE!

Hi friends!

Here we are - Day 4 of my weekly series ~ 

The Alphabet Game! 

Since it's time for a new challenge at the CCEE,
I had to combine my card for the challenge as well as my series
and, as it turns out,
it's pretty simple! :)

Lynn asked us to create a card based on this challenge:
"July 12 has been declared National Simplicity Day in honor of Henry David Thoreau 
who was a devoted advocate of living a life of simplicity. 
So on this lazy day of summer it's time to simplify. 
My challenge to you is to create a clean and simple one layer card!"

 Thanks, Lynn!
How I adore Thoreau! ♥

 This was a perfect opportunity to ink up my new stamps that just
arrived from Kraftin' Kimmie
therefore, making today letter K! 
(I didn't get to chose a random letter as I randomly drew F and then J ...
and didn't have a single stamp company in those letters.)

So what's a girl to do?
Improvise!

 I was able to scoop up many of the stamps that I have wanted 
for FOREVER during their mega Canada Day sale last week ~ eh!
This stamp set called Adventure Time was at the top of my wish list!
{They are in stock but no longer on sale}
It reminds me SO MUCH of my son and his camping and adventures
AND all the indoor blanket tents we've made ♥

And this stamp set has an actual Thoreau quote! ♥
I used it for the inside of my card ↓
I really love the font, too - it reminds me of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin in the Hundred Acre Wood :)

If you'd like to play along this week, please include keyword CCEE1828
or if you post your card to an online gallery/photo hosting site.

And you can see what the CCEE DT made by heading over the blog.

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥
~Kelly

Can I get your VOTE, please! :)

Hi friends!

Just stopping in with a quick colored image that I did late last night.
Excuse the bad coloring, this is just a sample :)

 I am absolutely torn on which one to use.

Normally, I chose my image, pick paper to match, 

then color the image to match the paper :)

Since I've been playing along in the Daily Marker Challenge, 

I color up images daily, including this one -

without regard to card design, paper choice, etc!

So here I am, 

and I need your help, please :)

I would LOVE for you to cast a vote in the comment section

telling me which one you like better or are drawn to ....

If you could either vote PINK or GREEN!

   

And to THANK YOU for your vote,

I'll print out the names of all that cast a vote here and Instagram,

and pick one winner from all the comments/votes using random.org

and send you a prize package!

[*It will be a surprise but including 

stamps, papers, embellishments, etc!*]

Thank you so much for your vote!

Sometimes you just need an outside voice,

and this is one of those times! :)

Big hugs, Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

Hello, Graduate! :)

Blessings on this Sunday morn! :) 

 Life has hit full throttle here and I just can't seem to find time to craft or blog, but that just means life is busier and blessed more than ever in other wonderful areas :) With 4 kids, schools ending, a bevy of activities and ceremonies for each, and *surviving* Prom week (yes, week - what a production!) with dd18 and her circle of friends, and moms, all joining us here in our home for the photos and the mommy's *after* party.  Our oldest daughter is also graduating High School in a couple of weeks and starting college in the summer (rather than take off in the Fall) and it's been a whirlwind.  Needless to say, we booked a week long vacation for the end of June at a resort to unwind, relax and sleep!  If I could have sat down to write myself a letter to know what these past few months would be, I still would not be anywhere near prepared but that's the beauty of God's plan for us and knowing that our lives are filled with the presence of God in all things, even in the busy-ness :) I look back and reflect my mantra for this year: Simplicity and think - wow, this month more than ever am I feeling WHY I chose that word!  Lord, hear my prayers.

So how about I'm behind in creating my own card kit!  ::: Oops! :::  Apologies!

With the Dueling Darlings duel this month, Jeanette and I were the hostesses with a wonderful theme: 

Making Memories, Celebrating Moments!

Since May is traditionally the month of celebrating Mother's Day, many anniversaries, upcoming June weddings, Holy Communions and Confirmations, graduations and so much more, we thought we'd take this time to celebrate the moments that mean so much!  

I knew I wanted to make a graduation card kit this month around (one of the perks of being the hostess - so much to chose!) so I sent the Divas identical card kits using this theme.  Here is my take on my card kit!

 I searched the 'net looking for the perfect papers to match the stamp I chose to use, Tessa Tassles from Kraftin' Kimmie.  In my search, I found Carta Bella's Beautiful Moments and I bought just by the name :)  And wow, are these papers lush and gorgeous!  I had trouble deciding which paper to choose so I sent the girls all of them, along with ribbons and an assortment of embellies and topped it off with the crown jewel - Tessa Tassles from Kraftin' Kimmie ~  how I adore Kraftin' Kimmie stamps!

We also asked the teams to share a celebratory moment that was special to them.  For me, I think one of the best moments was seeing my husband finally become Dr. Santi and holding our 1 year old daughter (yes, the same one just now graduating!) - she clapped her little hands when they called his name to my enthusiatic "there's daddy" - having no clue what was really going on, but she was happy to be there none-the-less!  It's incredible to think he'll be doing the same for her in a few weeks at her graduation, too :)

Blessings to each of you and be sure to stop by and see all the Dueling Darlings to see what they made this month!

You can find them in my sidebar right over there ~~~}

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you a blessed, 
beautiful SONday :)

Big hugs, Bigger Blessings!
~Kelly

Just Dance!

 
Good afternoon!  Wow, I actually made a card! :)  Blogging/crafting at this time of year are next to impossible with our busy schedules but it's almost a busy birthday month for us - all 3 of our daughters :/

Today's card is one that I made for my daughter, Chrissy :)  I am so excited to ink this stamp up because I just received it in the mail from Kraftin' Kimmie as a stamp win from a challenge I entered (this card for my other daughter!)  Thank you, Kraftin' Kimmie, for your generosity and the unexpected blessing of receiving this fun stamp to ink up!  OMGosh, I adore Kraftin' Kimmie Moonlight Whisper stamps and this was absolutely perfect for my daughter!  She's a musical babe ... always singing, dancing, performing.  I thought this would be a perfect tribute card to her as she has been in so many shows, constantly trying out for dance numbers at school and audition after audition after audition ...... whew!  Through it all, she remains grounded and sweet as pie and just such a gentle, beautiful soul to all that get to know her :*) 

For my color palette, I followed the new color combo at SCS CC404 this week ~ a little out of my comfort zone, but that's exactly why I chose it!  Chrissy's favorite color is blue so I let that be the focal point of Holly Hip Hop! I added the coordinating sentiment to the inside where my dh and I will writer her a little note :)

Thanks for stopping by today! I know I am WAY behind in my visits and I hope you bear with me ... December is just crazy for us and I usually don't get to take a breathe til about January!  One birthday down ... 2 more to go!  (and did someone mention Christmas was this month? eeeek!) :x

Big hugs,

Bigger Blessings!

~Kelly

It's Zombie Time!!

 This is a self portrait .... of me ... without my Starbucks!! :)

Hee hee!  I jest, I jest!!  My oldest daughter, Kaitlyn,  loves Zombies .... bordering on obsessed, I'd say!  She is one of the biggest fans of The Walking Dead which she's watched faithfully since show #1 along side my husband ... yep, that's where she gets it from :)  So of course I had to make her a commemorative card for her 'special cards from mommy' collection to break up the monotony of filling out college applications, fellowships and grants and juggling her classes, rehearsals and long hours.  I'm so proud of her and truly do just love her to pieces!

And bits.  And pieces.  

*smile!*

I was so excited to ink up my Zelda the Zombie from Kraftin Kimmie - did my best to follow their sketch of the week but couldn't find my container with the oval nesties. So I just had to wing it and even though it's not spot on and has my own twists, I love it :)  It was perfect for what I was trying to accomplish! Her favorite color is purple so I went more with a purple theme over the green I intended and I love how this turned out :)  I know Kaitlyn will, too! 

Have a Zombie-licious day!  We're staying in doors, safe from the wrath of Sandy :)

Big hugs,

Bigger Blessings!

~Kelly 

Entered into:  KraftinKimmie - Sketch 
That Craft Place - Halloween
Cute Card Thursday - Something Scary
Dream Valley Challenges - Halloween
CraftyMess - Halloween

It's a Mysterious Cup of Coffee! :)

Holy Catfish! It's an actual blog post!! ;)   I am WAY behind in crafting and blogging - life is full steam ahead with no chance of slowing 'til the New Year :(

However, I am so excited to be in this round of Mystery Stampers!!  This month, our hostess of the mystery swap was the sweet Terry and she sent us this fantastic image from MFT called a la modes "miss you a latte" :)   What is a mystery swap, you might wonder?  It's a swap on SCS that sends out the same image to all the swappers and we create a card based on that one image - each card being unique and different but oh so fun!  This one especially tickled me being that I'm a huge Starbucks fan {yep, went on a 4 month hiatus until the Pumpkin Spice Lattes returned and eh, what can a girl do :)}

I wanted my card to be fun and festive - just as my S'Bux is for me!  If you have ever seen me get mine through the drive-through window, I usually drive off shouting "wooohooo!" :)  So I kept the papers fun and carried it over to the inside of my card ~ using a sentiment from Kraftin' Kimmie :)  And yes, I used buttons!  Lots + lots of buttons!  Hopefully whomever ends up with these in the swap won't mind my slight button obsession - they fit in with the design of the paper and I couldn't resist! I made two different designs of this card and this is one sample :)  Thank you, Terry, for a spectacular image to play and create with!

Thanks for stopping by!  If I haven't already been by to see you today, I will be superbly soon!!  

Big hugs,

Bigger Blessings!

~Kelly

Deets:  PTI Dark Chocolate, White; SU! Green Galore; DSP = Bo Bunny Ad Lib Collection;

Image: MFT a la mode:  Miss you a latte + Sentiment:  Kraftin Kimmie Coffee sentiments

Sentiment stamped in Stazon black; misc buttons, Hannah Stamps ribbon; Tombo, 

Prismacolor markers; Stazon Black Ink; brown/white bakers twine; Fiskars border punch